With Northwestern’s first home football game just a month or so away and optimism rising for a successful year, Demon fans that have not already purchased their season tickets can order them by calling 357-4268 or going online to NSUDemons.com.

Alumni, students and other NSU fans and followers are hungry for a winning season after four straight years on the losing side of the ledger, and there are numerous indications that the Demons can turn it around during this 12-game season.

There are 58 lettermen and 16 starters returning, and new head coach Jay Thomas has enjoyed success in previously guiding the football program at another Southland Conference school. Thomas has also assembled an impressive staff of assistants.

In six years as head coach at Nicholls when three seasons were disrupted by hurricanes, Thomas guided the school to its only league championship and to national top 20 rankings in the 2005 and 2007 seasons. He was a finalist for national coach of the year honors in his second season with the Colonels.

One of the new NSU assistant coaches, offensive coordinator Robby Brown, held that same position last year at Valdosta State, which won the Division II national championship with the kind of up-tempo offense that Brown will employ at Northwestern.

So Northwestern football will have a new look this season, and Demon fans will have an opportunity to see the team play six times in Turpin Stadium where NSU teams have compiled a record of 113-52-1 since the renovated stadium opened in 1977.

Among the home games will be Southland Conference contests against Southeastern, Central Arkansas, Lamar and Stephen F. Austin and a renewal of the NSU-Southern University rivalry that has attracted capacity crowds over the years.

The NSU-Southern game will feature, of course, the nationally acclaimed bands from both universities, and the Northwestern band that has won numerous honors and is one of the largest in the South will perform at all home games.

There are several season ticket packages available for Demon football games, including VIP suites, reserved chairback seating, general admission, military and senior citizen discounts and other options in different price ranges.

College football is one of the best entertainment values here or anywhere else, so Northwestern Demon fans should call or go online now for tickets.

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